Tag Archives: PLA

Xi Urges Accelerated Development of Cutting-Edge Weaponry, Military Modernization

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GEN. Li Shangfu head of the Central Military Commission’s Equipment Development Department (Li is second from the right).

GEN. Li Shangfu head of the Central Military Commission’s Equipment Development Department (Li is second from the right).

“Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (in 2012), the state of weapons and equipment technology has been improved and accelerated the speed of development as the entire military has consistently made the development of weapons and equipment a strategic priority, guided by the requirements of combat operations, and closely following trends in international military technology. At the same time, we must also realize that China faces significant gaps in many respects when compared with the requirements for safeguarding national security and development interests…”

Speaking in October at the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) annual all-service equipment conference, which sets priorities for military modernization, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech describing China’s major efforts to catch up with other military powers, particularly since 2012.  In the accompanying excerpted article from the PLA’s official news outlet China Military Online, Xi describes China’s weapons development as having shifted from importation and imitation to indigenous development and greater self-reliance.  While Xi acknowledges continuing gaps, the Chinese military has tried to improve management of weapons and equipment development programs.  In 2016, China significantly restructured its top-level organizations guiding equipment development for the PLA, replacing the General Armaments Department with an Equipment Development Department (EDD) directly subordinate to the Central Military Commission (CMC), China’s top military body.

In a related development, the CMC and each of China’s Joint Theater Commands appear to have also established a Military Requirements Bureau under their Joint Staff departments.  The bureaus are intended to help their respective organizations more quickly address changing requirements, whether related to training or necessary equipment.  At the same time other organizations with oversight of long-term planning, particularly the Science and Technology Commission were also upgraded.  Engagement with non-traditional parts of the defense industry and expanding cooperation with scientists and institutions outside of the industry have also been prioritized to improve the PLA’s access to cutting-edge research.  Taken together, these efforts will enable the PLA to better coordinate efforts between services while also responding to technological change more swiftly.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) had set several important milestones for military modernization, many of which are looming.  In the speech, Xi referred to the PLA’s centennial goal, which entails accelerating mechanization and integration of informationized and intelligent (smart) systems by 2027.  There is no guarantee that China will meet these deadlines.  For example, the goal of completing mechanization of the PLA by 2020 appears to have been revised.  Even more ambitious milestones lie ahead: the CCP wants the PLA to achieve world-class status as a military by mid-century.  Efforts set since 2012 to make the PLA a potent, modernized force, and to improve the underlying processes that drive modernization, are paying off.

Source:

“加快推进武器装备现代化——认真学习贯彻习主席在全军装备工作会议上重要指示(Accelerate the modernization of weapons and equipment——Conscientiously study and implement Chairman Xi’s important instructions at the military equipment work conference),” China Military Online (official news outlet for the People’s Liberation Army), 27 October 2021.

http://81.cn/jfjbmap/content/2021-10/27/content_301725.htm

OR

https://web.archive.org/web/20211031030653/http://81.cn/jfjbmap/content/2021-10/27/content_301725.htm

The PLA held an equipment work conference for all military services in Beijing. President Xi extended sincere greetings and important instructions to the delegates and all comrades working on the front lines of weapons and equipment and spoke highly of the leapfrog development and historic achievements of the Chinese military’s weapons and equipment development during the course of the “13th Five-Year Plan” (2016–2020), clarifying the fundamental, directional, and overall major issues of weaponry and equipment construction. This has important practical significance and far-reaching guiding significance for accelerating the implementation of the “14th Five-Year” plan (covering 2021-2025) and creating a new chapter in weaponry and equipment development.

Without adequate equipment, we cannot begin to discuss the art of war. Weapons and equipment are an important symbol of military modernization, an important foundation of the preparation for military struggle preparations, an important support for national security and national rejuvenation, and an important weight in international strategic competition. Only by possessing advanced weapons and equipment and truly improving our defensive capabilities can we offer a real deterrent. Building a People’s Army with advanced weapons and equipment is the goal of [the Chinese Communist Party]. In the course of its long-term development, our military has successively gone through the development stages of importation, imitation, and indigenous research and development. It has successively produced a large number of advanced weapons and equipment and high-precision technology as represented by the “Two Bombs and One Satellite” [China’s successful Manhattan Project-like effort to develop atomic and hydrogen bombs in the 1960s and launch an artificial satellite in 1970].

Promoting the leapfrog development of our military’s equipment construction and providing material and technical support for enhancing the country’s strategic capabilities, especially military strength, are the great mission placed on the PLA by the Party and the expectation of the PLA’s officers and enlisted. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (in 2012), the state of weapons and equipment technology has been improved and accelerated the speed of development as the entire military has consistently made the development of weapons and equipment a strategic priority, guided by the requirements of combat operations, and closely following trends in international military technology. At the same time, we must also realize that China faces significant gaps in many respects when compared with the requirements for safeguarding national security and development interests, or with the requirements for winning an informatized war, and compared with the world’s strongest military powers. At present, a new round of scientific and technological revolution, industrial revolution, and military revolution are evolving rapidly. The degree of informatization of modern warfare continues to increase, and the characteristics of intelligence are increasingly emerging. This provides a rare opportunity for advancing the modernization of weaponry and equipment and also creates tougher demands. In the face of changing times, wars, opponents, and technological changes, we can only be determined and strengthen our sense of urgency. Only by working hard, focusing more proactively on tomorrow’s war to accelerate the development of weapons and equipment, and stepping up the construction of a modern management system for weapons and equipment can we fully create a new situation in weapons and equipment construction and make positive contributions to the realization of the goal of the army’s centennial struggle.

Image Information:

Image: GEN. Li Shangfu head of the Central Military Commission’s Equipment Development Department (Li is second from the right).
Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Zhang_Youxia_%282017-12-07%29_02.jpg
Attribution: Zhang Youxia (2017-12-07) 02.jpg, CC BY 4.0

PLA Practices UAV-Delivered Logistical Support for Airborne Operations

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PLAAF Airborne Z-8 Helicopter (says airborne in white over the wheels) PLAAF Changhe Z-8KA – Zhao.

PLAAF Airborne Z-8 Helicopter (says airborne in white over the wheels)  PLAAF Changhe Z-8KA – Zhao.

The brigade plans to further test combat support functions for the drones and improve logistical sustainment methods for airborne operations to improve combat effectiveness.

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues to refine the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for tactical resupply through their integration into exercises. As noted in state media outlet Science and Technology Daily, a recent exercise held in the mountainous terrain of central Yunnan province describes a PLA Air Force (PLAAF) Airborne Corps brigade using UAVs to resupply units engaged in a firefight and help evacuate casualties.

The “key point seizure” exercise featured a drone swarm working in concert with the airborne assault team as it maneuvered, resupplying units just as they reached defensive positions determined by a company commander.  Other reporting on the exercise indicated that medium UAVs could deliver 50kg of ammunition.  Participants in the exercise noted that the addition of UAVs greatly simplified logistical resupply for the units.

Exercises in 2020 involving the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force tested delivering munitions to front-line units, and in a separate exercise, providing hot meals and water to border troops in politically sensitive or logistically difficult-to-access areas. (See “PLA Fields New Rapid-Assembly Camp System,” OE Watch, November 2020). The same month the PLAAF Airborne Corps conducted tactical replenishment exercises in Hubei province. (See “China: Improving Capability in Replenishment Operations Through Drones”).

Source:

Peng Yueyun and Qi Yongqiang, “无人机参与助攻空降作战有了新帮手(Drones participate in assists and airborne operations have new helpers),” Science and Technology Daily (State media outlet managed by the PRC Ministry of Science and Technology), 10 December 2021.

http://www.stdaily.com/kjrb/kjrbbm/2021-12/10/content_1237995.shtml

OR

https://web.archive.org/web/20211215134431/http://www.stdaily.com/kjrb/kjrbbm/2021-12/10/content_1237995.shtml

“Begin the attack on the closest position!” Following the command of Li Qilong [李齐龙], the commander of a company under an airborne brigade, members of the unit charged bravely towards the “enemy” position. The unit is engaged in a ‘key point seizure’ exercise in an unidentified location in central Yunnan.

After their initial charge, the enemy was able to suppress the attackers. The lead assault team leader called out “Running low on ammunition! Requesting resupply!”

Standing by the radio in the rear, commander Li marked Ren’s location on the drone control terminal, issuing orders for supplies and a flight path. One minute later, a medium UAV with nearly a hundred kilograms of heavy equipment quickly lifted off and flew toward the battle. Thanks to the timely resupply, the attacking unit could renew their assault.

In this exercise, the brigade embedded transport drones in its support operations, making full use of their advantages in terms of ability to cover long distances quickly, with great precision and in spite of rugged terrain—advantages that traditional resupply methods overland or via large, vulnerable transport lack.

On the front lines of the battle, the firing is intense, and the support team has continued to take casualties even as neither side has gained the advantage.  “Requesting casevac.” A signal from the assisting team came from the radio. In the rear, the rotors of a large UAV spin up under the operated by Chen Yao [陈遥], leader of the integrated support team. Hugging the ground, the drone dodges enemy fire while making its way toward the requested location of the ‘wounded,’ beaming back information to the support team.

“Found them,” Chen Yao said as he put the drone into a rapid descent. With the assistance of ground combatants, one of the simulated casualties was dispatched to the rear.

“Shift your position and prepare to defend!” After pushing the assault, company commander Li Qilong quickly pivoted to defense while coordinating resupply using the UAVs. A few minutes later, as coordinates for defensive positions were issued [to the attacking units], a “swarm” composed of eight quadrotor drones took off in succession, beginning “multi-target precision resupply operations.” Despite being spread out over more than ten kilometers, the “swarm” independently coordinated and accurately positioned themselves to quickly deliver emergency supplies from the rear to the new defensive positions.

Li described the transport drones as “Fast, stealthy and precise,” noting that “[due to their support] the length of the battle was reduced by nearly an hour and the number of casualties has been greatly reduced.”

The brigade plans to test combat support functions for the drones further and improve logistical sustainment methods for airborne operations to improve combat effectiveness.

Image Information:

Image: PLAAF Airborne Z-8 Helicopter (says airborne in white over the wheels) PLAAF Changhe Z-8KA – Zhao. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/PLAAF_Changhe_Z-8KA_-_Zhao.jpg
Source: Allen Zhao, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
Attribution:

“Cultivating Joint Talent: PLA Education and Training Reforms” by Kevin McCauley (2021-10-12)

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

This paper examines the PLA’s reforms targeting the development of joint commanders and staff, and efforts to improve joint training. Qualified joint officers and a well-trained joint force are fundamental requirements to propel the PLA into the echelons of the world’s advanced militaries. The PLA’s military education reform effort is to improve the quality of personnel in general, but an important emphasis of the current military educational reforms is focused on joint commanders and staff. The PLA intends to instill a general level of joint knowledge throughout the entire military as it pushes joint operations capabilities down to the tactical level. While the detailed outline of these reforms is known, the full extent and quality of implemented reforms is difficult to gauge.

“People’s Liberation Army: Army Campaign Doctrine in Transition” by Kevin McCauley (2020-09-01)

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This monograph examines current People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Army campaign doctrine, with a discussion of PLA theorists’ vision of the evolutionary development of warfare to provide context for current doctrine as well as potential future direction. The PLA develops doctrinal joint and service campaign scenarios for possible offensive and defensive operations. PLA campaigns represent the operational level of war between strategic operations and tactical combat. The PLA’s current focus on specific campaigns provides insight into Beijing’s perception of potential conflict scenarios. The campaign scenarios provide commanders and staff data on command and control, coordination, combat actions, support, and other critical campaign elements for specific operational environments. The description of each campaign’s operational environment and combat actions provides valuable support to operational planning and a context for staff and unit training for their specific operational mission. The Army campaigns are executed as components of a joint campaign, or as a primarily independent Army campaign with support from other services.

The Chinese Way of War: How Has it Changed? (Timothy L. Thomas)

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The Chinese Way of War: How Has it Changed? (Timothy L. Thomas)

(Click image to download book.)

The Chinese way of war has changed dramatically from what it was 20 years ago, but that does not mean everything is new. Some components of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) historic thought (deception, stratagems, etc.) remain as important elements and are being integrated into technologies. However, China’s intelligentization of operations and focus on joint and all-domain capabilities (to include some domains not currently under consideration in the US) create new challenges. Artificial intelligence (AI) is now being used to help design warfare and provide control over conflicts, ensuring that the PLA has a future deterrent force to confront other nations. It appears that China will remain a formidable opponent for many years to come.

Block: Image

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Welcome to image alignment! If you recognize this post, it is because these are blocks that have been converted from the classic Markup: Image Alignment post. The best way to demonstrate the ebb and flow of the various image positioning options is to nestle them snuggly among an ocean of words. Grab a paddle and let’s get started. Be sure to try it in RTL mode. Left should stay left and right should stay right for both reading directions.

On the topic of alignment, it should be noted that users can choose from the options of None, Left, Right, and Center. If the theme has added support for align wide, images can also be wide and full width. Be sure to test this page in RTL mode.

In addition, they also get the options of the image dimensions 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% or a set width and height.

Image Alignment 580x300

The image above happens to be centered.

Image Alignment 150x150

The rest of this paragraph is filler for the sake of seeing the text wrap around the 150×150 image, which is left aligned.

As you can see the should be some space above, below, and to the right of the image. The text should not be creeping on the image. Creeping is just not right. Images need breathing room too. Let them speak like you words. Let them do their jobs without any hassle from the text. In about one more sentence here, we’ll see that the text moves from the right of the image down below the image in seamless transition. Again, letting the do it’s thang. Mission accomplished!

And now for a massively large image. It also has no alignment.

Image Alignment 1200x400

The image above, though 1200px wide, should not overflow the content area. It should remain contained with no visible disruption to the flow of content.

Image Alignment 300x200

And now we’re going to shift things to the right align. Again, there should be plenty of room above, below, and to the left of the image. Just look at him there… Hey guy! Way to rock that right side. I don’t care what the left aligned image says, you look great. Don’t let anyone else tell you differently.

In just a bit here, you should see the text start to wrap below the right aligned image and settle in nicely. There should still be plenty of room and everything should be sitting pretty. Yeah… Just like that. It never felt so good to be right.

And just when you thought we were done, we’re going to do them all over again with captions!

Image Alignment 580x300
Look at 580×300 getting some caption love.

The image above happens to be centered. The caption also has a link in it, just to see if it does anything funky.

Image Alignment 150x150
Itty-bitty caption.

The rest of this paragraph is filler for the sake of seeing the text wrap around the 150×150 image, which is left aligned.

As you can see the should be some space above, below, and to the right of the image. The text should not be creeping on the image. Creeping is just not right. Images need breathing room too. Let them speak like you words. Let them do their jobs without any hassle from the text. In about one more sentence here, we’ll see that the text moves from the right of the image down below the image in seamless transition. Again, letting the do it’s thang. Mission accomplished!

And now for a massively large image. It also has no alignment.

Image Alignment 1200x400
Massive image comment for your eyeballs.

The image above, though 1200px wide, should not overflow the content area. It should remain contained with no visible disruption to the flow of content.

Image Alignment 300x200
Feels good to be right all the time.

And now we’re going to shift things to the right align. Again, there should be plenty of room above, below, and to the left of the image. Just look at him there… Hey guy! Way to rock that right side. I don’t care what the left aligned image says, you look great. Don’t let anyone else tell you differently.

In just a bit here, you should see the text start to wrap below the right aligned image and settle in nicely. There should still be plenty of room and everything should be sitting pretty. Yeah… Just like that. It never felt so good to be right.

Imagine that we would find a use for the extra wide image! This image has the wide width alignment:

Image Alignment 1200x4002

Can we go bigger? This image has the full width alignment:

Image Alignment 1200x4002

And that’s a wrap, yo! You survived the tumultuous waters of alignment. Image alignment achievement unlocked! One last thing: The last item in this post’s content is a thumbnail floated right. Make sure any elements after the content are clearing properly.

Block: Cover

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This is a left aligned cover block with a background image.

The cover block lets you add text on top of images or videos.

This blocktype has several alignment options, and you can also align or center the text inside the block.

The background image can be fixed and you can change its opacity and add an overlay color.

Make sure that the text wraps correctly over the image, and that text markup and alignments are working.

The next image should have a pink overlay color, the text should be bold and aligned to the left:

A center aligned cover image block, with a left aligned text.

This is a full width cover block with a fixed background image with a 20% opacity.

Make sure that all the text is readable.

Our last cover image block has a wide width.

This is a wide cover block with a video background.

Compare the video and image blocks.
This block is centered.

The block below has no alignment, and the text is a link. Overlay colors must also work with video backgrounds.

This page needed more pink.

Block: Gallery

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Gallery blocks have two settings: the number of columns, and whether or not images should be cropped. The default number of columns is three, and the maximum number of columns is eight.

Below is a three column gallery at full width, with cropped images.

  • canola
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Donec mollis. Quisque convallis libero in sapien pharetra tincidunt. Aliquam elit ante, malesuada id, tempor eu, gravida id, odio. Maecenas suscipit, risus et eleifend imperdiet, nisi orci ullamcorper massa, et adipiscing orci velit quis magna.
  • Sunburst Over River
    Sunburst over the Clinch River, Southwest Virginia.
  • Orange Iris
    Orange Iris
  • Boardwalk
    Boardwalk at Westport, WA
  • Bell on Wharf
    Bell on wharf in San Francisco
  • Huatulco Coastline
    Coastline in Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico
(gallery caption) 3 column, full width, cropped, linked to attachment pages
  • Unicorn Wallpaper
  • Boat Barco Texture
    Boat BW PB Barco Texture Beautiful Fishing

Some more text for taking up space.

A two column gallery, aligned to the left, linked to media file.

In the editor, the image captions can be edited directly by clicking on the text.

If the number of images cannot be divided into the number of columns you have selected, the default is to have the last image(s) automatically stretch to the width of your gallery.

A four column gallery with a wide width:

  • Huatulco Coastline
    Sunrise over the coast in Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico
  • canola
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Donec mollis. Quisque convallis libero in sapien pharetra tincidunt. Aliquam elit ante, malesuada id, tempor eu, gravida id, odio. Maecenas suscipit, risus et eleifend imperdiet, nisi orci ullamcorper massa, et adipiscing orci velit quis magna.
  • dsc20050813_115856_52
  • dsc20050727_091048_222

A five column gallery with normal images:

  • Horizontal Featured Image
  • Image Alignment 300x200
  • Image Alignment 150x150
  • Image Alignment 580x300
  • Horizontal Featured Image
  • Image Alignment 1200x4002
  • Unicorn Wallpaper

This is the same gallery, but with cropped images.

  • Horizontal Featured Image
  • Image Alignment 300x200
  • Image Alignment 150x150
  • Image Alignment 580x300
  • Horizontal Featured Image
  • Image Alignment 1200x4002
  • Unicorn Wallpaper

Six columns: does it work at all window sizes?

  • Boardwalk
    Boardwalk at Westport, WA
  • Golden Gate Bridge
    Golden Gate Bridge
  • Sydney Harbor Bridge
    Sydney Harbor Bridge
  • Bell on Wharf
    Bell on wharf in San Francisco
  • Rusty Rail
    Rusty rails with fishplate, Kojonup
  • Yachtsody in Blue
    Boats and reflections, Royal Perth Yacht Club
  • Antique Farm Machinery
    Antique farm machinery, Mount Barker Museum, Western Australia
  • Rain Ripples
    Raindrop ripples on a pond
  • Wind Farm
    Albany wind-farm against the sunset, Western Australia
  • canola
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Donec mollis. Quisque convallis libero in sapien pharetra tincidunt. Aliquam elit ante, malesuada id, tempor eu, gravida id, odio. Maecenas suscipit, risus et eleifend imperdiet, nisi orci ullamcorper massa, et adipiscing orci velit quis magna.
  • Windmill
    Windmill shrouded in fog at a farm outside of Walker, Iowa
  • Brazil Beach
    Jericoacoara Ceara Brasil
  • Huatulco Coastline
    Sunrise over the coast in Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico

Seven columns: how does this look on a narrow window?

  • It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this.
  • Unicorn Wallpaper
  • Boat Barco Texture
    Boat BW PB Barco Texture Beautiful Fishing
  • Huatulco Coastline
    Coastline in Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico
  • Brazil Beach
    Jericoacoara Ceara Brasil
  • Huatulco Coastline
    Sunrise over the coast in Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico
  • Big Sur
    Beach at Big Sur, CA
  • Windmill
    Windmill shrouded in fog at a farm outside of Walker, Iowa
  • Sea and Rocks
    Sea and rocks, Plimmerton, New Zealand
  • Rusty Rail
    Rusty rails with fishplate, Kojonup
images linked to media file – do captions obscure links?

Eight columns:

  • canola
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Donec mollis. Quisque convallis libero in sapien pharetra tincidunt. Aliquam elit ante, malesuada id, tempor eu, gravida id, odio. Maecenas suscipit, risus et eleifend imperdiet, nisi orci ullamcorper massa, et adipiscing orci velit quis magna.
  • Boardwalk
    Boardwalk at Westport, WA
  • Golden Gate Bridge
    Golden Gate Bridge
  • Antique Farm Machinery
    Antique farm machinery, Mount Barker Museum, Western Australia
  • Orange Iris
    Orange Iris
  • Wind Farm
    Albany wind-farm against the sunset, Western Australia
  • Bell on Wharf
    Bell on wharf in San Francisco
  • Sydney Harbor Bridge
    Sydney Harbor Bridge
  • dsc20050813_115856_52
  • Rain Ripples
    Raindrop ripples on a pond
  • Unicorn Wallpaper
  • Boat Barco Texture
    Boat BW PB Barco Texture Beautiful Fishing
  • Yachtsody in Blue
    Boats and reflections, Royal Perth Yacht Club
  • Rusty Rail
    Rusty rails with fishplate, Kojonup
  • Sea and Rocks
    Sea and rocks, Plimmerton, New Zealand
  • Huatulco Coastline
    Coastline in Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico
images are linked, do the links work?

Block category: Common

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The Common category includes the following blocks: Paragraph, image, headings, list, gallery, quote, audio, cover, video.

The paragraph block is the default block type.  It should not have any alignment of any kind. It should just flow like you would normally expect. Nothing fancy. Just straight up text, free flowing, with love.

This paragraph is left aligned.

This italic paragraph is right aligned.

Neither of these paragraphs care about politics, but this one is bold, medium sized and has a drop cap.

This paragraph is centered.

This paragraph prefers Jazz over Justin Timberlake. It also uses the small font size.

This paragraph has something important to say:  It has a large font size, which defaults to 36px.

The huge text size defaults to 46px, but the size can be customized.

This paragraph is colorful, with a red background and white text (maybe). Colored blocks should have a high enough contrast, so that the text is readable.

Below this block, you will see a single image with a circle mask applied.

Image Alignment 150x150

H1 Heading

H2 Heading

H3 Heading

H4 Heading

H5 Heading
H6 Heading

Ordered list

  1. The software should be licensed under the GNU Public License.
  2. The software should be freely available to anyone to use for any purpose, and without permission.
  3. The software should be open to modifications.
    1. Any modifications should be freely distributable at no cost and without permission from its creators.
  4. The software should provide a framework for translation to make it globally accessible to speakers of all languages.
  5. The software should provide a framework for extensions so modifications and enhancements can be made without modifying core code

Unordered list

  • One
  • Two
  • Three
    • Four
  • Five
  • Brazil Beach
    Jericoacoara Ceara Brasil
  • Huatulco Coastline
    Sunrise over the coast in Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico
  • Windmill
    Windmill shrouded in fog at a farm outside of Walker, Iowa
  • Huatulco Coastline
    Coastline in Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico
  • Big Sur
    Beach at Big Sur, CA
images are not linked

Quote

Cite

Cover block with background image

The file block has a setting that lets us show or hide a download button with editable text:

File Block PDFDownload
File Block PDF

Video blocks have settings for showing and hiding the playback controls. Use autoplay and playback controls responsibly.

This is a video block caption.

The video block below is muted and has a poster image that displays before the video starts:

China’s Military Strategy: Basic Conceptsand Examples of its Use (Timothy L. Thomas)

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Chinese retired Lieutenant General Li Jijun noted in 2006 that, from the vantage point of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), “Therefore, in war direction, understanding the adversary’s ideological culture and strategic thinking method is as important as finding out the adversary’s military deployment.” This book seeks to address the concept of China’s military strategy in order to help US analysts better understand PLA motives and intent. While the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is not an enemy, it has developed into a powerful competitor worthy of closer examination. If we (the US) are to follow the advice of PLA analysts, and do what they are doing, then we should be using peacetime to contemplate how their strategic thought is developed and implemented. Keeping a finger on the pulse of the PLA’s thought process as it proceeds with confidence (and some degree of arrogance) into the second decade of the 21st century will allow the US to assess the probable direction (or uncover purposeful misdirection) inherent in PLA strategy. Accordingly, any required adjustments to US military strategy can be formulated.  The analysis merely suggests a way of considering or thinking about PLA strategy and not necessarily the way. The discussion and conclusions are almost solely based on the use of translated Chinese documents and, as such, attempt to offer a purely Chinese perspective on the content, goals, and implementation of strategy.